Samoa – Govt considers paying teachers in church schools

The Prime Minister of Samoa, Tuilaepa Lupesoliai Dr. Sa’ilele Malielegaoi has promised that the government look at the long overdue proposal from church schools to have their teachers paid for by the government.

He made this promise while delivering the keynote address at the celebration marking 150 years of work by the Missionary Sisters of the Society of Mary [SMSM] in Samoa.

Tuilaepa announced an immediate gift to the sisters from the government of [Samoan Tala] $20,000.00.

“Every year the government gives $6 million to assist church schools,” he said. “It’s been done for the past years and the government is also helping by providing free fees for all schools.

“God will also show the way to pay for your teachers if not tomorrow, in another 500 years that will happen.”

“We are tested in those ways if we still have people like Sr. Marie de la Merci and Sr. Marie Rose. But that will be discussed this afternoon by Cabinet.”

The Head of State and former Marist student, His Highness Tui Atua Tupua Tamasese Efi led the jubilee march.

He was followed by her Highness, Masiofo Filifilia Tamasese and hundreds of current and old pupils of St. Mary’s.

Rita Matafeo, of the S.M.S.M Committee, paid tribute to a school that has raised many national leaders.

“I would say to Samoa, there goes your Prime Minister,” she said. “There goes your Chief Justice (Patu Tiava’asue Falefatu Sapolu) and there goes your parliament.

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News category: Asia Pacific.

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